Sophomore RB Kemarrion Gray accounted for 114 total yards and four touchdowns to help Walnut snap a five-game winning streak.
WALNUT–Sophomore running back Kemarrion Gray made four trips to the end zone–three rushing–senior Cayden Armstrong made the most of his Senior Night with a touchdown and the Walnut Wildcats pitched a 35-0 shoutout over the Myrtle Hawks on Friday.
It was a good night for a couple of reasons, as Walnut’s five-game losing streak came to an end and the victory pumped life into the Wildcats’ postseason hopes.
Dominating performance
It was clearly the Wildcats’ best performance since their last win back on Sept. 9 as Walnut outgained Myrtle 324-91 in total yards. Gray led four Walnut ball carriers who touched the ball at least five times with 55 rushing yards. Armstrong had 50 yards, C.J. Adams 48, and Zyler Clifton 38.
Wildcats quarterback Drew Jackson was 13 for 24 for 118 yards and one touchdown pass to Gray. Gray had four catches for 63 yards. Clifton hauled in six grabs for 43 yards.
The Walnut defense forced three Myrtle turnovers, including two interceptions, one Austin Watson. Adams led the defensive unit with five 5 tackles, including three for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery.
Playoffs or bust
The Wildcats have one regular-season game remaining but it starts the playoffs for the 4-5 squad. They travel to Potts Camp for a loser-stay-home match, as the winner locks up the No. 4 seed in Division 1-2A while the season will come to an end for the loser. Walnut is looking to avoid missing out on the postseason for the second year in a row.
